This Election Day is certainly Decision Day.

As summer turns to Labor Day, it creeps into our minds. But by the time October rolls around, we start paying attention.

Mainly, residents turn out at the polls when there are local municipal races. But this year, the stakes are even higher: It's our opportunity to choose the nation's leader for the next four years.

President Barack Obama or challenger Mitt Romney.

And it's a tough call.

Obama came along almost four years ago as the man with a plan: The man who was supposed to turn around our country after it sunk into a recession. But Obama, like anyone, is no miracle worker.

You just can't wave a magic wand and make all of our problems go away.

Sometimes, you have to try to move mountains, and that can be difficult to do when you're dealing with Congress, especially a Congress that might be more of the opposing party affiliation.

Obama had a major challenge. But did he get the job done?

As the phrase goes, "Are we better off than we were four years ago?"

No one, not even Obama, maybe could have gotten America back on track.

But there are signs that progress is being made: We withdrew troops from Iraq, knocked out Osama bin Laden and unemployment has dropped to its lowest rates in some years.

Will that earn Obama another opportunity? Or is Mitt Romney the one who can move us further along?

When I lived in Massachusetts for five years, Romney happened to be my governor.

Massachusetts was a great place to live. The quality of life seemed very strong. Romney did a sound job.

But that is on a state level. Can Romney repeat that success on a national level?

It was great watching the first presidential debate last week. Both candidates made strong points. Both touted their policies and plans, achievement and accomplishments.

All of this is worth pondering.

I've voted for Democrats and Republicans for president. I usually just try to choose the best person for the job.

I'm not sure yet which candidate will get my vote on Nov. 6. But I know I'll be voting on Election Day. It's too big of a decision to miss out on. You should make the effort as well.

After all, you have a choice of helping decide our country's future over the next four years.